Critical Theory and the Middle East Essay Example for Free

Critical Theory and the Middle East Essay Critical theory is actually tackled by two different intellectual traditions from which the term is derived – critical theory in literary studies and critical social theory. The former is primarily a form of hermeneutics, or knowledge that is gained through the interpretation in the understanding of the meanings presented through human texts and symbolic expressions. On the other hand, the latter is a form of knowledge that is self-reflective which involves both understanding and theoretical explanation which intend reduction of entrapment within systems like domination and dependence, in the advancement of emancipator interest to expand autonomy and reduce domination. Critical theory from a sociological perspective, is best defined as that social theory that is in contrast to some of the principles of the 20th century positivism, and is, in fact, sometimes referred to as negative philosophy. Contrary to the general idea that knowledge comes from people’s sense-experience, critical theory proposes rationalism which posits that the source of knowledge and the source of common humanity is the fact that humans are rational beings. This paper adopts the sociological perspective of critical theory, and relates it with the Middle East scenario, taking Qatar into particular focus, as an example of the Middle East countries. Historical Background The concept of critical theory dates as early as 1937, with Max Horkheimer of Frankfurt School giving meaning to it as a social theory that is oriented toward critiquing and changing the society in general, contrary to the traditional theory that is oriented merely in the understanding or explaining the society. Most accounts of the theory closely link it with the Frankfurt School of Social Research (or Frankfurt School which later became the International Institute for Research at Columbia University, New York in 1933), while some trace its origins to as far back through Hegelianism and Western Marxism. Most of the key contributors to the theory are employed at the Frankfurt Institute, like Theodore W. Adorno, Herbert Marcuse, along with Hokheimer who was the Institute’s Director at that time. The other contributors who were not employed at the Institute were Walter Benjamin and Ernst Bloch, both published their materials in the Institute’s journal as well as engaged in other activities of the Institute. Later on, in 1945, a certain Hannah Arendt also helped by extending the concern for liberation as developed in the works of the Institute. After 1945, in Germany, Jurgen Habermas and Axel Honeth continued the advancement of critical social theory. Marx’s Influence on the Critical Theory It has been said by analysts of today that the common thread between and among the German critical theory and the French post-structuralism is that they are both anchored on Karl Marx’s theory of social change, which generally proposes for philosophers and thinkers to not just interpret the world, but rather change it. Such Marxian theory has been revised by critical theorists to posit that the critical theory rests on the concept of intervention which comes from appropriate understanding of the past and present conditions which provides adequate insight towards change, or possibilities of it. Further down the history of critical theory, Marx’s great influence can be traced with the Praxis School, which was a Marxist humanist philosophical movement originating from Zagreb and Belgrade in Yugoslavia in the 1960s. This Praxis School was closely linked with the Frankfurt School and the Critical Theory. In fact, the term critical theory is derived from Marx’s concept about his work Capital as a form of critique of political economy. Middle East in Context The Middle East or the Muslim world in particular, has been perceived by the rest of the world as an oppressive society where only men have the freedom to live the way they want to live, while women are repressed and stay in the shadows of their men. It is anchored basically on the Islamic teachings which have shaped the Muslim people’s beliefs, culture and traditions. In a traditional Muslim society, the women are raised and trained to obey and serve men without questions or opinions. Muslim women are not allowed to decide on anything, even for their own personal concerns, since it is the men who have the right to decide – this comes from the practice of betrothing the women, and the men paying dowry for the women they marry. This technically makes the women possessions of men. Through the years, the plight of Muslim women who also want to pursue careers, who also want to live freely and have more options than to be betrothed and raise a family, have been slowly heard by the world. Through the years, things have changed dramatically and drastically in the Muslim World. Contemporary Muslim societies have successful Muslim women on boob tube talking about pleasurable sex, albeit maintaining that it be in the context of marriage, but still, such freedom to speak about sex in public was a big taboo in years past. Qatar’s Shiekah Muzah Bint Nasser Al Misned, is another example of an emancipated lot of Muslim women now successfully treading career paths that were never trodden before. How did it all happen? What brought about such changes in the society that was once repressive but now tolerate and allow women to have choices? Critical Theory in the Middle East (Qatar) The Middle East, particularly Qatar, has gone through a lot of upheavals, significantly changing the social, political and cultural landscape of the nation. Applying the critical social theory, which seeks to critically study the interrelated facets of society – political, economic and social – with interventions appropriately based on understanding, Qatari society has been led by its leaders into a more tolerant society in the interest of further development and advancement. Looking back to the socio-political and economic landscape that gave birth to the Marxian theory and the critical theory, it was a repressive society and constrictive governmental policies that were sought to change by the proponents. Mere analysis and understanding of such society and government were not enough, and thus interventions based on appropriate understanding was proposed. The Qatari situation is no different. Awakening to the real situation, deep understanding of them, led the people and the leaders to create changes which now manifest in its media, which is rich in stories of women achievers. One of the leading women figures in Qatar is none other Her Highness Shiekah Muzah Bint Nasser Al Misned, who heads the nation’s Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development. Summary The sociological definition of critical theory generally posits that it is necessary that matters be tackled in a multi-dimensional perspective, and that rationalism is as a key to understanding situations need to be coupled with interventions. In societies where societal norms tend to repress some sectors’ freedom, it is a necessity to pursue a critical outlook of the situation and provide measures to address the issues. In Qatar, for instance, the nation underwent various upheavals which significantly changed its social, political, cultural and economic scenarios, giving freedom to women as they have never experienced before. Personal Opinion Oppression or repression of any kind is always an unpleasant situation, much less to a more vulnerable group in the society, the women. History is replete with situations of oppression and repression, and almost all those situations ended up wrecking nations, which means that ultimately, the people are wrecked as the ultimate victims. The proponents of critical social theory emphasizes the rational nature of people which, if given deeper interpretation, only emphasizes that as rational beings, people must be treated as such, rational. Further, the argument of Marx that it is not enough for people or philosophers to merely interpret society, but rather must change it, rings a bell of truth in the contemporary times. For instance, in the Middle East, much have been written about the societal repression, but only recently have changes been felt and manifest. Only when some things have been done to change the situation. References Ahmed, L. , 1993, Women and Gender in Islam: Historical Roots of a Modern Debate Edition: reissue, illustrated, Published by Yale University Press, 1993. Calhoun, C. J. , 1995, Critical social theory: culture, history, and the challenge of difference, Edition: reprint, Published by Wiley-Blackwell, 1995. Held, D. , 1980, Introduction to critical theory: Horkheimer to Habermas,Published by University of California Press, 1980. Swank, A. ,2007, Sexual healing: How big is kalaam kibeer? , Arab Media and Society. Issue 2, Summer 2007, Published by The American University in Cairo. UNDP-POGAR, 2007, Women in public life, gender and women, Gender and Citizenship Initiative, 2007.

Issue of Urban Sprawl in Regina

Issue of Urban Sprawl in Regina Ryan Boychuk Urban Issue of Urban Sprawl in Regina Introduction Urban Sprawl continues to be the trend of city growth in Canada. In the city of Regina, urban sprawl is a problem that needs to be addressed among the city planners. Negative effects of urban sprawl include, but are not limited to, increase in public expenditure, auto reliance, health, environment and social living. The purpose of this paper is to offer an empirical investigation of the factors proposed as generators of urban sprawl. The Auto Eccentric City Many believe as Salingaros (2006, p. 114) that, Sprawl exists only because it is an outgrowth of car activities. Thus, the focus here is on how auto reliance contributes to sprawl in Canada. Regina, like many other Canadian cities, is a very auto eccentric city. Sprawling communities are a major contributor to climate change and air pollution, in part because they require so much automotive transportation, which is heavily dependent on energy consumption from fossil fuels, the biggest source of greenhouse gases. Since 2005 Canadian vehicles have contributed to approximately 170Mt in C02 emissions. This number is due to the sheer amount of people in Canada that rely on vehicles to go virtually everywhere. According to data from the General Social Survey (GSS) on time use, the proportion of people aged 18 and over who went everywhere by car as either a driver or a passenger rose from 68% in 1992, to 70% in 1998 and then 74% in 2005. This rising trend in auto culture inadvertently cause s a push for more roads, more suburbs, successfully created more urban sprawl. As Regina continues to grow outwards and push for suburban development city plans are contributing to this ever growing traffic problem,. Not only is this detrimental to the environment but the lifestyle itself is unsustainable. The excessive use of fossil fuels in this auto reliant culture will eventually cause many irreversible problems in the future. The Increase of Public Expenditure The debate over the base tax proposal has revealed that Regina is a deeply divided city. The building industry, real estate interests, business organizations and people living in more expensive homes pushed the city council to impose a $400 base tax on residential property. The base tax would have shifted some of the burden of property taxation from those in the new suburban areas to homeowners who live in the older areas of Regina and have lower valued property. Low density development in outlying areas requires much higher expenditures on infrastructure and services, and this leads to reduced spending in the older city areas. Regina is following the pattern. Inner City Decline Christopher Leo of the University of Winnipeg has studied the problem of inner city decline and how the city is affected by this process. When a metropolitan area is divided into neighborhoods where poverty predominates and others were comfortable circumstances are the rule, it is inevitable that there will be a concentration of social problems in the poor areas. And where social problems predominate, lawlessness follows. Increasing crime and growing poverty lead to the decay of some downtown neighbourhoods. The neighbourhood profiles for Regina prepared by city staff using 1996 census figures highlight the effects of local urban sprawl development. For the city as a whole, household income averaged $45,000; for the central zone, it was only $29,000 and lower still in the Core and North Central areas. For the city as a whole, only 35% of homes were rented compared to 59% in the Central Zone and 71% in the Core area. Single parent families and Aboriginal people are much more likely to be found in the Central zone neighborhoods. To present date, little has been accomplished in combating this issue at hand. Gang violence has been a problem that the residents of North Central Regina have been constantly at arms with. According to a 2005 study done by the Criminal Intelligence Service Saskatchewan, there are approximately 500 gang members and associates operating out of Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert. Not only is the economic viability and safety of the community threatened, but also the residents are left feeling alienated. People living in these areas feel afraid to leave their houses, go to the park or even participate in community reinforcement activities. The NCCA is currently trying to get it’s funding to bring back the RAGS program and hopefully reduce gang violence in Regina. Rise of The Box Store James Howard Kunstler argues in The Geography of Nowhere that the box store is a form of corporate colonialism, going into distant places and strip-mining them culturally and economically†. Economist Tom Muellers studies found that 84% of Wal-Marts sales came from other businesses. For every two jobs created in a warehouse store, three are lost. They dont buy from local manufacturers or producers but larger national firms. Dairyland Foods, our prairie farmer-owned co-operative, recently sold out to Saputo Inc., a large private firm. Dairy farmers were told that if they did not get bigger and faster they would lose access to the national grocery retailers. The most widely-cited study of the box store phenomenon was done by Ken Stone. Ken was an economics professor at Iowa State University and he monitored the impact of Wal-Mart on Iowa between 1983 and 1993. The state lost 555 grocery stores, 298 hardware stores, 293 building suppliers, 269 clothing stores, 161 variety stores, 1 53 shoe stores, and 116 drug stores. A total of 7,326 businesses went under.10 It’s hard to see the positivity in light of this box store epidemic. This was a shocking number for me but taking a drive down victoria you can see this as an evident problem in regina. These stores do not only pose a threat economically but also culturally. Cities characters have been stripped as there unique local business have been outmatched. This in turn has created a very Dull homogenized atmosphere within Regina and cities in other areas of the world. The Effects on Health Sprawl affects us in surprising ways. It cuts into our precious free time and contributes to expanding our waistlines. A commuter who drives just one hour each day spends the equivalent of nine working weeks a year in a car. Researchers have found that people living in sprawling suburbs spend less time walking and weigh up to six pounds more than those living in pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods. According to Ontario College of Family Physicians, there are five main health effects due to urban sprawl. These effects of urban sprawl are as follows, Commuting and driver stress, loss of natural environment, loss of social capital, loss of community and negative effects towards childhood development. †In these spread-out communities, homes are separated from schools, workplaces, stores and services, forcing people to drive virtually everywhere. More time driving means less time with family and friends, less time for oneself, and less time to engage in community activities. 1 Research shows that urban sprawl commuters spend 3 to 4 times more hours driving than individuals living in well-planned, dense communities.† 2 Those extra hours that we spend driving in cities such as Regina contribute to more back pain, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, asthma, headaches and stress. There is also research stating that traffic congestion also has adverse effects on ones blood pressure, mood frustration tolerance, illness frequency, work absences, job stability, and overall life satisfaction. Taking all this into account you can see that these additional stresses on our lives can contribute to depression, home abuse and many other damaging social problems prevalent in our society. â€Å"Thousands of pedestrians and drivers die every year in North America. The anguish and emotional scarring caused by the death of a loved one, permanent disabilities and related pain and suffering greatly impacts at every level of our social structure. 14% of traffic accident survivors have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder 10 and 25% have psychiatric problems one year after an accident.† 2 Road rage is one example of mental health stress related to driving that has received considerable attention in recent years. Road rage is characterized by violent disputes between drivers that sometime causes serious injuries or even death; often road rage involves people who are not usually violent. The two primary causes for aggressive driving are being rushed or behind schedule, and increased congestion and traffic. Road rage also contributes to higher percentage of accidents as drivers tend to make poor decisions in a heightened mood. Walking or biking are not only healthier alternatives in terms of physique and stress relief but are also generally safer in biker friendly areas. Unfortunately, there is usually little emphasis on walking and biking services in car culture. Environmental Decline The environment that we live in affects our health in both negative and positive ways. Animals, plants, landscapes and wilderness all have a tremendous impact on human well-being, as humans are innately attracted to other living organisms. Positive effects of the natural environment have been documented and include improved social and cognitive functioning, and decreased violence.A study done in Chicago found that people who live in buildings surrounded by greenspace have a stronger sense of community, better relationships with neighbours and less heated domestic conflicts.1 Impact on Social aspects Research today is beginning to gather undeniable evidence that cons of Urban communities definitely outweigh the benefits. Over the past half-century, many writers have addressed the isolating effect of low-density suburban development. The use of vehicles does not encourage the same level of social interaction that could exist if residents met each other on the street (Katz and Bradley 1999). Suburban residents are also less likely to take on additional community responsibilities due to increased commuting times (Putnam 2000). Some writers have gone as far as suggesting that the most common interaction between neighbours in suburbia is through the blinking turn signals on their cars (Holtz Kay 1997). Simply put, low-density suburban developments do not foster the same level of social interaction as dense, walkable, neighbourhoods.2 Regina’s policies to Improve Infrastructure Green Field Development Urban sprawl and greenfield development share only one common trait they both occur on the outskirts of urban areas. Unlike urban sprawl, where there is little or no suburban planning, greenfield development is about efficient urban planning that aims to provide practical, affordable and sustainable living spaces for growing urban populations. The planning takes future growth and development into account as well as seeks to avoid the various infrastructure issues that plague existing urban areas. Regina is currently in a process to formulate the City’s Official Community Plan (OCP), which will shape the way future growth will unfold. The public consultation process, Design Regina, that accompanies the new plan is such a great idea. We all need to be involved in the conversation about the future of our city. Citizens, Community Developers, Builders and Public Officials all need to be engaged in this process. In 2013 The province of Saskatchewan approved the new Official communi ty plan, entitled design Regina and replaced the Regina Development Plan on December 2013. In this Plan they recognized the need for complete communities,thats is, communities that provide all necessary recreational, social and consumer need within close proximity to residential areas.6 â€Å"While the diversity of housing that has entered the market in the past few years has helped to improve housing choice based on location and housing preference, there is still a greater need for residential development in proximity to services and amenities to create complete communities. Similarly, the development of below market and affordable units in greenfield areas creates challenges due to a lack of nearby services resulting in increased transportation costs to meet a household’s everyday needs.† 3 Design Regina In the official city document for the cities future there seems to be many goals aiming towards greener, more pedestrian friendly cities. According to the document, we have have had improvement overall for affordable housing in Regina. They are also making strides to address the increasing homeless population. â€Å"The Cold Weather Strategy is a partnership program with the Ministry of Social Services and service providers to Regina’s homeless population, including shelters, emergency service agencies, the City, and health services. The purpose is to ensure services work together so no one is without a safe place to sleep on cold nights in Regina.† 3 There are also plans to increase housing diversity within the city to grant people more affordable housing that is still within city limits. With this plan we may see more development near inner city areas effectively breathing new life into otherwise stagnant areas. Works Cited 1 Kuo, F., and Sullivan, W., (2001). â€Å"Environment and Crime in the Inner City: Does Vegetation Reduce Crime?† Environ. Behav. 33, pp 343 – 367. 2 SPRAWL, U. Social Mental Health Ontario College of Family Physicians. 2013. http://ocfp.on.ca/docs/committee-documents/urban-sprawlvolume-4social-and-mental-health.pdf?sfvrsn=5> 3 Design Regina. 2011. 9 Apr. 2015 http://www.designregina.ca/> 4 Canadas Emissions Trends 2013. 2015. 9 Apr. 2015 https://www.ec.gc.ca/ges-ghg/985F05FB-4744-4269-8C1A-D443F8A86814/1001-Canadas%20Emissions%20Trends%202013_e.pdf> 5 GUIDE, ACS. Understanding Sprawl David Suzuki Foundation. 2010. http://www.davidsuzuki.org/publications/downloads/2003/Understanding_Sprawl.pdf> 6 Dont Confuse Greenfield Development with Urban Sprawl 2013. 9 Apr. 2015 http://reginahomebuilders.com/news/view/20> 7 Discourage Urban Sprawl David Suzuki Foundation. 2010. 9 Apr. 2015 http://www.davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/reduce-your-carbon-footprint/discourage-urban-sprawl/> 8 Causes and Effects of Urban Sprawl Conserve Energy Future. 2013. 9 Apr. 2015 http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-and-effects-of-urban-sprawl.php> 9 Gang Culture in Regina and Saskatchewan | The Carillon. 2013. 9 Apr. 2015 http://www.carillonregina.com/gang-culture-in-regina-and-saskatchewan/> 10 Urban sprawl development in Regina, Canada and the 2005. 9 Apr. 2015 http://www.johnwarnock.ca/sprawldevelopment.html>

Essay --

What is diabetes type 2? Diabetes type 2 occurs when the body produces too little insulin or is unable to use the insulin correctly. (Jen Grogan and Ruth Suter 2008 p. 2.1.13) Diabetes is a chronic disease where there are high levels of glucose in the blood as it cannot leave the bloodstream and cannot enter cells without the assistance of insulin. (Jen Grogan and Ruth Suter 2008 p. 2.1.9) What causes Diabetes type 2? Common risk factors for diabetes type 2 are being overweight, a lack of exercise, if someone has had gestational diabetes, having a family history of type 2 diabetes, high Cholestrol, high blood pressure, increasing age, having a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome or metabolic syndrome, non-Caucasian ethnicity (Brind'Amour, K, 2012) and a diet which is high in fats, sugars and over processed foods. (Jen Grogan and Ruth Suter 2008 p. 2.1.13) Simple carbohydrates which break down quickly during digestion can cause a dangerously high level of glucose in the blood. Complex carbohydrates release glucose more steadily into the bloodstream and help prevent dangerously high levels of glucose in the blood. (Jen Grogan and Ruth Suter 2008 p. 2.1.13 – 2.1.13) What kind of a diet causes diabetes type 2? †¢ High-sugar foods such as sweets, biscuits, syrup, and soda which cause a remarkable spike in blood sugar levels and can also contribute to weight gain. both of these effects can worsen diabetes complications. †¢ Eating concentrated sugar such as raisins or other dried fruits may be a better option than snacking on cookies, but it'll still spike your blood sugar because during the dehydration process, fruits' natural sugars become very concentrated, causing an unhealthy elevation in blood sugar when they are quickly... ...0 IU daily supplement of vitamin D3. Vitamin B12 is found naturally only in animal foods so vegetarians must include three servings of B12 in their daily diet: fortified soy or rice beverage, nutritional yeast, fortified breakfast cereal or fortified soy or meat.( Beck, L, 2011) Conclusion A vegan diet is a low in sodium and that is high in fruits, vegetables, and low fat dairy products which can help manage blood pressure. A Vegan diet is low in Saturated fat and trans fat contribute to coronary heart disease and has a variety of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that are relatively healthy for diabetics. A vegan diet is also high in whole grains and fibers which help maintain the blood glucose level thus a vegan diet is beneficial to diabetics although a vegan diet must be aided with multi vitamins etc to compensate for the lack of certain nutrients.

Critical Analysis of an Incident Essay -- Nursing Reflective Practice

Introduction The intention of this written essay is to demonstrate an understanding of my views on the art and science of reflection and the issues surrounding reflective practice. It is based on a significant incident from my own area of clinical practice as a state registered paramedic within the U.K. There is a discussion appraising the concept of reflection both generally, and in my particular area of practice. This is followed by an analysis of the incident using The What ? Model of Structured reflection suggested by Driscoll (2000). A rationale is given for the selection of this particular incident and also for the selection of the chosen model as a framework. It will show how the model has been used to reflect on the incident, what has been learnt, and the outcome on both current and future practice. Reflection is an active process of witnessing one’s own experience so that we can take a closer look at it. It has its foundations in the discipline of experiential learning. Dewey (1939 cited in Rolfe, Freshwater, & Jasper 2001) claimed that we learn by doing, and realising what came of what we did. â€Å"Reflective practice is something more than thoughtful practice. It is that form of practice which seeks to problematise many situations of professional performance so that they can become potential learning situations and so the practitioners can continue to learn, grow and develop in and through their practice† Jarvis P. (1992) pp174 -181. Johns, C (2000a) pg 34, describes reflection as a window through which the practitioner can view and focus self within the context of his own lived experience in ways that enable him to confront, understand and work towards resol... ...pman, C.M. (1988) Professional and Ethical Issues in Nursing: The Code of Professional Conduct: Chichester; J. Willey & Sons Ltd. Jarvis, P. (1992) Reflective practice and nursing, in Nurse Education Today, Vol 12, No.3 pp 174 - 181 Johns, C (2000a) Becoming a Reflective Practitioner; Oxford: Blackwell Science Ltd. Chapter 3 pg 34 Johns, C. (2000b) Becoming a Reflective Practitioner: Oxford: Blackwell Science Ltd. Chapter 3 pg 36 Procter, B. (1986) Supervision: a co-operative exercise in accountability: Routledge U.K. pg 23 Rolf, G., Freshwater, D. and Jasper M. (2001) Critical reflection for nursing and the helping professions: a users guide. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan Roth, P.A. (1989) What is reflective practice? (Internet) Available from http://www/lovehealth.org/tools/reflection2.htm (accessed on 21 December 2006)

Frosts Tuft Of Flowers And Men Essay -- essays research papers fc

A Look at the Theme of Separation in the Poetry of Robert Frost   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The creation of borders and boundaries has been around since the beginning of civilization. The division of property and possessions among individuals establishes a sense of self-worth. The erection of fences and walls keeps property separate. Walls also serve as a means of separating worlds. Modern society demands the creation, and maintenance of these boundaries. In his poems, “The Tuft of Flowers,'; and “Mending Wall,'; Robert Frost explores the role that walls play in our lives. He examines how the lives of men are both separated, and drawn together by walls.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In “ The Tuft of Flowers,'; Frost shows how men work alone. In contrast, Frost then shows how men can work together through their separation. Frost describes how a simple, uncut tuft of wild flowers can unite two separate people. The appreciation of natures beauty has an effect on the mower, leading him away from cutting the flowers. The man that follows the mower feels a special kinship to him because he also likes the flowers. The beauty of a simple patch of flowers brings the narrator to realize that although he may work by himself, he is part of something bigger; the human race.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Frost also demonstrates how men never exist alone when surrounded by nature. In ̶...

Diet Aids and FDA Approval

The diet industry is huge, a multimillion dollar industry. The introduction to products that help individuals lose weight will always be popular and interest never wanes because of the frequency in which new products arise from the market. Now comes the big question, just how important is it for diet aids to have Food & Drug Agency (FDA) claims? Most health supplements, vitamin supplements, and diet aids do not have FDA approved on them. But does this really matter? In some cases, yes and in others no. The FDA is an organization that is part of the US department of Health and Human Services.The center for drug evaluation and research (CDER) makes sure that all prescription and over the counter drugs are safe for consumers, including diet supplements. Most diet aides are released without being regulated from the FDA but every now and then one is, the most recent being ephedra, and its ban. It is important to remember two things when reading claims whether they are for health benefits or for dangerous side effects. The first is that if there is a warning on the label it is unknown whether 50% of all those that used the product or if on 0.1% had side effects. Companies must put the side effect warning on the label if only one person in the study had side effects. This is mainly for insurance, if you take the diet aid and experiences side effects out of thousands of individuals that don’t then you can’t sue the company; the warning was on the label. Secondly just because there are health benefit claims on the label doesn’t actually mean that they will happen to the individual taking the product. It simple means that it may happen not that it definitely will.However having FDA approval is always a good thing. Unlike a company the FDA will conduct research or contract researchers to conduct a thorough and correctly structured clinical study. Any results will show good conclusions that can be trusted. The FDA is looking out for the consumer, not t he companies whose bottom line is to make as much product as possible. Here is an outline of the regulation of diet aids with ephedra. Ephedra was a popular weight loss product, particularly when paired with caffeine and aspirin.However the use of ephedra was linked to heart problems and over 155 deaths. Like many diet aids it increases your metabolism by increasing your heart rate, which causes many problems. The FDA could not actually ban ephedra but it sent out a ruling that the FDA does not support and products containing ephedra as it had unreasonable risks of illness or death associated with it. The FDA collected information about ephedra from independent experts and studies on both the benefits and dangers of ephedra.However it should be noted that Chinese herbal medicines and teas that contain ephedra are not regulated under this ruling. (Nelson, 135). Now it is very likely that a vast majority of individuals using ephedra did not experience any side effects or heart problem s at all. However there was enough of the population that did, and most importantly quite a few deaths were found to be directly linked to ephedra in diet supplements that the FDA felt there was a significant cause for concern.Due to it’s ruling many states in the US banned the selling of ephedra products causing many companies to reformulate their diet products. Also if you look at the history of the FDA and its rulings you will find a very tangled web. The FDA during the 1940s and 50s in diet aids approved amphetamines and amphetamine like products. Since then the FDA has been trying to define the parameters in which these products can be safely taken (Colman, 380-385). The FDA has been found to change its mind over time, particularly as science is improving and research tools are becoming available.Now I should let you know that a product containing ephedra is still all-natural because ephedra comes from the Ma Huang plants. Incidentally most health supplements and diet ai ds all come from plants, so they are â€Å"all natural†. Just because it is labeled all natural doesn’t mean it isn’t dangerous. Almost anything at the wrong level will kill you. It is simply the products that are dangerous at small amounts that cause the most concern. Eating carrots can cause blindness and eventually death, but you have to eat a lot of carrots for a long time.Many of the substances found in diet aids are at concentration higher than they would be found in nature and this is what can make them harmful. Now comes the consumer, just who should they believe. You are standing in a store reading a label that lists some pretty fantastic benefits, but it is not FDA approved (Allen). Many products are being marketed as helping you lose weight, improve your life span or have anti-aging properties. Without the correct clinical trials, which can take years, it is unknown if the benefits outweigh the risks.As previously stated Ephedra was first approved and then found to be dangerous as was another product called Fen-phen. (Keim). There are many health claims available to help your memory, expand your age, make your heart healthier etc. You can achieve this by taking ginkgo boloba, cinnamon extract, grapefruit extract, acai juice, resveratrol etc. There are other diet aids that act as appetite suppressants or are thermogentic (raise your metabolism), fat blockers, and meal replacement.The real danger is not using the diet aids in a correct manner as there are significant risks of developing eating disorders when using dieting aid (Celio, 492-497). This takes away from the benefits you will have by losing weight because you will be lighter but you won’t be healthy. It is amusing to actually read the directions on diet aids. The majority of the time the directions give dosage information and then state that it is only effective eating a healthy diet and exercise. Now most medicinal practitioners and athletes can get an individual to lose weight by eating sensible and exercising.The diet aid may actually work not because of the diet aid but because you are eating a healthy diet and exercising. There is a large psychological part to dieting that many people do not understand. On a personal note I would feel much more secure and confident using a diet aid that was approved by the FDA but that does not mean that I would rule out using other products. I would first research and collect some information about products. I would stear clear of any product that says has side effects relating to heart problems or internal organ failure.If the side effects are not minor and research shows that cultures have been using it successfully for years then I probably would try it. It is important to pay attention to detail such as concentration in the diet aid as well as follow the directions and pay attention to what is going on in your body. If I had any concerns I would see about speaking to a nutritionist or doctor about any risks. It is fine to use diet aids but don’t just pick one on a whim. You do need to be careful and determine what the risks are and if you think the benefits are greater than the risks.

Federal Death Penalty Abolition Act of 2007 Essay

Abstract The object of the Federal Death Penalty Act of 2007 (S. 447) is to abolish a wide-range of capitol offenses falling under the Immigration and Nationality Act. This act also commutes the sentences of current and future federal death penalty felons from the death penalty, to life in prison, without the possibility of parole. Public opinion within the State of Michigan and throughout the United States is a concern, along with the press exposure and issue coverage. The GOP and Democratic parties must take firm stances with the issue in the bill, while certain special interest groups will be making public claims in the media and through the judicial system. Furthermore, there are electoral concerns within the State of Michigan that cannot be ignored, as re-election is a reality. History This legislation has been introduced within the Senate and/or House since 1999, and has likewise been rejected by either the Senate Judiciary Committee or the House Judiciary Sub-Committee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security each time.1 Originally introduced by Sen. Russell Feingold [D-WI] in 1999 and again in 2007, it has carried as many as 46 cosponsors in the House of Representatives while only carrying one in the Senate. Currently, the bill has no cosponsors and has again, been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee for further review, however no major actions have occurred since April, 2007 when introductory remarks were made by Sen. Feingold regarding the issue. (Death Penalty, 2007) Public Opinion   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   For 158 years, the Michigan voters have been founded in their unwavering belief for the abolition of the death penalty. Through all of those years, the voters have felt as though the prejudicial value outweighed the probative value in accepting the death penalty as a reasonable solution in sentencing standards within the State. Furthermore, the State was the first to abolish the death penalty and Governor John Engler supported the decision   to abolish the death penalty by saying, â€Å"I think Michigan made a wise decision 150 years ago† while going on to say, â€Å"We’re pretty proud of the fact that we don’t have the death penalty.† Therefore, the public’s opinion within the State of Michigan is understood; the abolition of the death penalty is more than palatable to the Michigan voters. (Bonner, 2000). Media   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Today’s press coverage, regarding death penalty issues, is not nearly as a focused and thorough as it once was. Media conglomerates are focusing more and more on the concept of infotainment, rather than the happenings within the halls of Congress. As a result, showing support for S. 447 would have little coverage, unless the bill made it through the judiciary committee, House, Senate, and to the President’s desk without issue. However, history shows that Congress is not ready to take such a bold step into that direction. Furthermore, press-releases would have to be leaked to the print and television media in the State in order for voters to notice the issue is even being seriously considered in Washington. Once the media knows that support for the abolition of the death penalty, within the federal judicial system might be a serious topic, then that is when the media coverage will be set into motion. Political Parties   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Historically, GOP candidates have affirmed death penalty support, while democratic candidates have vehemently spoken against the practice. However, it is important to note that Gov. Engler is also a Republican supporter of the death penalty’s abolition, who has a tremendous amount of influence within the State as the party’s leader. It is also important to note that in the past, each time the bill received a cosponsor, a Michigan Senator/Representative was on the list as one. Therefore, with the State’s political support base and the legislation’s historical cosponsor trend it is important to give a sign of support. Interest Groups   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In Michigan, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is one of the primary organizations associated with the abolition of the death penalty. Furthermore, this organization has made serious progress in its fight against this form of sentencing within many other States and should therefore, be monitored. Next, Amnesty International is an organization that, like the ACLU, has initiated an anti-death penalty campaign throughout the United States and has also gone abroad to promote its cause. In addition, the Citizens United for Alternatives to the Death Penalty has promoted its idea to restore justice and investigate alternatives to death penalty sentencing. Even with the many anti-death penalty organizations, there are even fewer pro-death penalty organizations; with most of which being based in Texas. Elections   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Because of the need to take a stance on this issue, the concern for re-election is very real. This is a deeply rooted cause in the State of Michigan and therefore, it should not be taken lightly. A firm stance and an outspoken agenda on initiatives to support this the bill’s stance is a viable course of action to take if and when the option of pledging support towards the merits of S. 447 becomes a reality. The only other alternative is to stay silent on the issue and focus on other issues within the agenda that can be addressed and promoted. However, coming out against this legislation is not an option because of the dangers it would pose for re-election purposes. This is because it would appear to be a unilateral decision to ignore the voice and stance of the voters in the State for the purposes of taking on a personal agenda, without thought or care for the constituents of Michigan. Therefore, the only two avenues of approach are full thwarted support, including co-sponsorship of the bill, or silence and the promotion of other legislative issues. References (2007). Federal Death Penalty Abolition Act of 2007. Retrieved December 12, 2007, from GovTrack.us Web site: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?tab=main &bill=s110-447. Bonner, R (2000). States With No Death Penalty Share Lower Homicide Rates. Retrieved December 12, 2007, from Death Penalty Information Center Web site: http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org / article. php . Footnotes 1 Other bills with the same title include the following: S. 1917 (Status: Dead), S. 402 (Status: Dead), S. 191 (Status: Dead), H.R. 2574 (Status: Dead), S. 122 (Status: Dead), H.R. 4923 (Status: Dead).